GEORGE NEWS - George Municipality has emerged as the hardest-hit local authority in the Garden Route following recent severe weather events, with preliminary assessments indicating damage exceeding R250 million to roads, water infrastructure and essential municipal services.
According to the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), municipalities across the district have identified more than R500 million in damages, with George accounting for the largest share of the recovery costs.
GRDM Head of Disaster Management Gerhard Otto said the most significant damages were recorded in George, followed by Knysna and Bitou.
Among the largest projects identified for rehabilitation in George is the repair of damaged roads and stormwater infrastructure in George, Haarlem and Uniondale at an estimated cost of R124.6 million. A further R93.6 million is required to repair damage to the Uniondale Poort raw water diversion infrastructure and the water supply system feeding the Uniondale Raw Water Storage Dam.
The municipality has also identified approximately R32.7 million in damages to sewer pump stations in George, Pacaltsdorp, George Industria, Haarlem, Uniondale and Hansmoeskraal.
The recent storms caused widespread damage to infrastructure across the district, disrupting transport routes, water services and community facilities. Municipal technical teams are continuing with detailed assessments to refine cost estimates and prioritise emergency repairs.
Garden Route District Municipality Executive Mayor Alderman Marais Kruger said municipalities have already started emergency response and repair work, but additional funding will be needed to ensure full recovery.
"External funding support will be essential to ensure full recovery and to strengthen infrastructure resilience for the future," he said.
GRDM and affected municipalities are engaging with provincial and national government departments to secure disaster recovery funding. Priority projects include the rehabilitation of water infrastructure, repairs to roads and stormwater systems, and measures aimed at reducing the impact of future severe weather events.
Elsewhere in the region, Knysna Municipality reported major damage to road infrastructure, including repairs estimated at R97.3 million to the Main Street/N2 corridor and a further R48.8 million for surfaced roads in Knysna, Sedgefield, Brenton, Rheenendal and Karatara.
Oudtshoorn Municipality recorded extensive damage to electricity infrastructure valued at R70 million, as well as R46.6 million in damage to streets, stormwater systems and bridges. A further R5.7 million is required to repair water and sanitation infrastructure in the Greater Oudtshoorn area and Dysselsdorp.
Further assessments are under way and damage figures may be adjusted as additional information becomes available.
Top rehabilitation projects identified in the Garden Route
George Municipality
- R124.6 million – Repairs to damaged roads and associated stormwater infrastructure in George, Haarlem and Uniondale.
- R93.6 million – Repairs to the Uniondale Poort raw water diversion infrastructure and water supply system feeding the Uniondale Raw Water Storage Dam.
- R32.7 million – Repairs to sewer pump stations in George, Pacaltsdorp, Haarlem, Uniondale, Hansmoeskraal and George Industria.
Knysna Municipality
- R97.3 million – Repairs to surfaced roads, including the Main Street/N2 corridor.
- R48.8 million – Repairs to surfaced roads in Knysna, Sedgefield, Brenton, Rheenendal and Karatara.
Oudtshoorn Municipality
- R70 million – Repairs to electricity infrastructure in areas including Hoop and Baron van Reede, Buffelsdrift, Dysselsdorp, Dokkraal, Cango Caves, De Kombuys, Wilgewandel, Grootkraal, Boomplaas, De Hoek, Matjiesrivier, Muller Street and Nooitgedagt.
- R46.6 million – Repairs to streets, stormwater infrastructure and bridges, including Der Riet Street, Kerk/Church Street, Albert Street, Rademeyer Street, the low-water pedestrian bridge near Pick n Pay and the Cango Bergoord bridges.
- R5.7 million – Repairs to water and sanitation infrastructure in Greater Oudtshoorn, Dysselsdorp and the Klein Karoo Regional Water Works Scheme (KKRWSS).
Total value of the top eight rehabilitation projects: R519.3 million.
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